Is travelling 1400 km to BM in only a car reasonable?

Cyn · Post by **Cyn** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 9:13 am

Hi,
Last year we flew into Reno, rented an SUV and bought all equipment there. This year we want to drive and bring more of our own stuff. Do you think we could fit every thing we need in a car (sedan type, jetta with large trunk)? Someone else is bringing cooler, chairs and bikes for us. We will split the travel over 3 days. I appreciate any advice.
Cyn

Cyn · Post by **Cyn** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 9:27 am

I forgot to mention, we have no roof rack and thus no means to have storage on top

JRoyale · Post by **JRoyale** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 10:12 am

Cyn wrote:Last year we flew into Reno, rented an SUV and bought all equipment there. This year we want to drive and bring more of our own stuff. Do you think we could fit every thing we need in a car (sedan type, jetta with large trunk)? Someone else is bringing cooler, chairs and bikes for us. We will split the travel over 3 days. I appreciate any advice.

I forgot to mention, we have no roof rack and thus no means to have storage on top

I have not idea how much stuff you have so I can't answer your first question directly. Could I pack all of the shit I bring to Burning Man in Jetta?.. No fucking way. But then again, I'm bring a kitchen sink, freezer and a 30' x 24' portable house that looks like shack and you're probably not quite that insane.

I have a crazy idea for you tho'... you have the car and all your shit you want to bring... right? So why don't you spend today seeing if you can fit is all your car? If you can get everything you want to bring in the car then the answer it yes, if you can't fit everything in, then the answer would be no, you can't bring everything to Burning Man that you want to bring. Don't forget when you are packing your car to leave room for yourself and whoever else you are traveling with.

As for not having a roof rack one option would be to go to REI and buy one. I'm just saying.

JR

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 10:17 am

It's just a fucking camping trip. Don't worry about it.

shitmouse · Post by **shitmouse** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 10:28 am

Cyn wrote:I forgot to mention, we have no roof rack and thus no means to have storage on top

GET a roof rack. they're not that expensive, and will optimize your payload. you might come back one year.
-b

Chrysto · Post by **Chrysto** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 11:18 am

Hello Cyn...It's been done before....I really had to watch how far down my car was drooping as the things were being loaded in. Check you car's manual for weight capacities. Try and keep the heavier things in the cab and the lighter bulkier things for the trunk. We brought so much stuff last year I had to use the pasenger seat for the heaviest things we had and my girlfriend had to ride in the back....dont let this be you. Pack, pack and repack until the weight looks even on all sides

Tancorix · Post by **Tancorix** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 11:42 am

This can be done. In 2002 I camped next to 3 guys from NY who brought everything they needed in a Honda Civic hatchback. And I mean everything. 3 bikes on the top, a tent, camp flag, water, etc and they seemed to get by just fine.

As you're thinking this over, why not check out the various packing lists if you haven't already and see if you really need what you think you need? Here's one to start with that has helped me cut back on some of the junk I used to bring but never used.

http://burningman.bluedream.com/whatstuff.php

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 12:21 pm

You could always rent a truck. It will cost a lot, but you didn't mention budget, just ability to carry your stuff.

shitmouse · Post by **shitmouse** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 1:28 pm

if you DO pack the car to te hilt, just keep en eye on tired pressure! too much pressure and the tires will fail! (causing bloody wreck and death).

Tancorix · Post by **Tancorix** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 1:38 pm

The flipside to that is too low of pressure and you run the same risk. You also kill your gas mileage and lose the load capacity. Read the sidewall and be done with it.

Icepack · Post by **Icepack** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 1:43 pm

IF you are renting a car, most car rental places will not allow you to add a roof rack or a trailer, but they don't usually say anything about bike racks. So put the bikes on the back. Whether or not you will have enough room depends on how much stuff you have. Put your water containers over the rear axle, pack your food, shelter, and cooking supplies. Whatever room you have left, fill with clothes, art, etc. When you get to your last shopping stop, pack the booze and a few bottles of water in around the person in the passenger seat and hand them the tickets to carry. The tickets and a cold beer will probably be the first thing you want when you arrive on the playa. You can definitely do this, you just need to pack light.

dj big E · Post by **dj big E** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 11:56 am

look on share page for some one coming from your area. With a bigger vehicle.

lookout · Post by **lookout** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 12:57 pm

I just put a class I trailer hitch on my Jetta 2 liter. We are getting a little 4x6 trailer to put our geo-dome on it (disassembled of course), plus supplies. The Jetta is rated to tow up to 2000lbs so we are aiming to only tow a maximum of a 1000 pounds including the trailer.
We are driving from Minnesota and a sure that this is doable....my mom and dad did it in 68' with a Beetle. If you do this approach make sure the trailer has larger than 12" wheels on it as those little 8 inchers will burn out the hubs before you hit the halfway point. We are bringing a couple extra sets of hub bearings for the simple reason that if we don't we are asking for trouble.
The roof rack idea is reasonable but don't plan on bringing a ton of stuff, you will get shitty gas milage with 5 feet high of gear strapped on.

Good luck!

lookout · Post by **lookout** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 12:58 pm

I just put a class I trailer hitch on my Jetta 2 liter. We are getting a little 4x6 trailer to put our geo-dome on it (disassembled of course), plus supplies. The Jetta is rated to tow up to 2000lbs so we are aiming to only tow a maximum of a 1000 pounds including the trailer.
We are driving from Minnesota and are sure that this is doable....my mom and dad did it in 68' with a Beetle. If you do this approach make sure the trailer has larger than 12" wheels on it as those little 8 inchers will burn out the hubs before you hit the halfway point. We are bringing a couple extra sets of hub bearings for the simple reason that if we don't we are asking for trouble.
The roof rack idea is reasonable but don't plan on bringing a ton of stuff, you will get shitty gas milage with 5 feet high of gear strapped on.

Good luck!

Stormy · Post by **Stormy** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 3:01 pm

Sorry, did I miss the number of passengers? Two should work if you are bringing only one cooler, tent and a simple tarp for shade. Clothes and sleeping bags are flexible and can be smooshed into tight places. Since you're flying in, have you thought about teaming up with people who live closer to the event and have a truck or van? Sharing shade structures, kitchen equipment and shower encloses with others will really cut down on how big of a vehicle you'll need. Good luck.

Cyn · Post by **Cyn** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 8:21 pm

Hi,

Thanks all for the great suggestions and advice. I think we are going to make it work!

Cyn

Is travelling 1400 km to BM in only a car reasonable?

Is travelling 1400 km to BM in only a car reasonable?

forgot to mention

Re: forgot to mention

Re: forgot to mention

hmmmm

Jettas and Burning Man

Jettas and Burning Man

Thanks all